Loss of Future Income and Wrongful Death

By Michael Verna on April 06, 2017

Losing a beloved member of the family in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence is difficult enough. That tragedy is only compounded when a wrongful death case goes to trial and the defense argues that you are placing too high a value on your loved one’s stolen life - that you deserve less than you are asking for, and possibly nothing at all, for your loss. This only adds insult to the very worst of personal injuries.

It is for this reason that you need to seek the legal representation of lawyers with extensive experience and a history of success in handling wrongful death claims to handle your lawsuit if you have lost a member of your family in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You need lawyers who can identify the full measure of future losses to which you are reasonably entitled and provide ample evidence of your claims. Among the most important of these wrongful death damages is lost future income.

When it comes to litigating claims involving loss of income and wrongful death, the San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland CA area personal injury attorneys of Bowles & Verna, LLP have the resources, skills, and tireless determination to handle virtually any case successfully. They would be privileged to assist you during your time of greatest need by helping you obtain the compensation you deserve for your devastating loss.

To arrange for a confidential, compassionate review of your wrongful death case, please contact the law firm of Bowles & Verna today.

How Is Loss of Income Determined in Wrongful Death Cases?

First, it is important to note that there are two potential types of lost income that family members who file wrongful death lawsuits may be entitled to pursue, depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. If the victim of the accident lived for a period before his or her death, but was unable to earn an income from working during that time, then the family members may be able to recover compensation for wages lost prior to death. This is a relatively straightforward loss to prove, especially if the deceased victim worked consistently at a single job and brought in a steady income.

The more difficult loss to prove is future lost income. Several factors are taken into consideration when determining this amount, including the age, occupation, education level, training level, salary history, and promotion history of the deceased victim. In the hands of an experienced wrongful death attorney, these factors can all be used to build a compelling narrative demonstrating the future earning potential of the victim in the most positive light possible.

It is important to remember that you are afforded only one opportunity to seek damages for the death of your loved one. If a loss becomes apparent to you in the future, it will be too late to return to court to seek compensation. This is why you must work with attorneys who can identify all potential losses now, including those that you might not think of, yourself.